KUALA
LUMPUR (Sept 24): Tengku Datuk Zafrul Tengku Aziz has resigned as chief
executive officer of Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) effective today. 

In a
statement Tuesday, Maybank IB chairman Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat MOhd Nor
said John Chong, who is currently Deputy CEO of Maybank IB and Head of
Investment Banking & Advisory for its Malaysia operations, would assume the
role as Interim Officer-In-Charge of Maybank IB and Maybank Kim Eng.

“We are
thankful to Tengku Datuk Zafrul for his contributions during his three - year
tenure in Maybank IB which included the integration of Kim Eng Securities into
the Group. 

“He has
chosen to seek pastures anew and we feel confident that the foundation laid
have made the Maybank Kim Eng franchise strongly competitive across the region,”
he said.

Tengku Zafrul resigns as Maybank IB CEO

SYDNEY (Oct 26): Stock markets traded cautiously on Monday as oil eased from six-month highs ahead of a week packed with central bank meetings and corporate earnings that will further test investor confidence in the AI boom.

Stocks trade cautiously in Asia, Brent off six-month top

Energy authorities in Malaysia and Singapore have established a joint working group to harmonise approaches to tracking and accounting for renewable energy certificates.

Malaysia, Singapore form working group to align renewable energy certificate rules

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd (KL:PMETAL) is expected to see softer smelting margins in the second half of 2026 as aluminium supply crunch eases, said Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research.

Press Metal faces softer 2H smelting margins as aluminium supply crunch eases — HLIB Research

(Oct 26): Nextdc Ltd’s chief executive officer will give up his short-term and long-term bonuses for the 2027 financial year after the Australia data centre developer warned delayed power supply at one of its major projects in Melbourne would hit profits.

Nextdc CEO to forgo bonus after Australia data centre delay

Maxis Bhd (KL:MAXIS) is expected to get a small boost to its fibre business, which has seen little growth in recent quarters, analysts said on Monday.

Maxis to get small boost to fibre business after flat quarters, analysts say

SAO PAULO (Oct 25): Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won a historic fourth term on Sunday, the country's electoral court said, in a shock result that defied polls, precedent and global anti-incumbent sentiment to put the brakes on a wave of right-wing election victories across Latin America.

Lula, Brazil's iconic working class president, wins fourth term in dramatic comeback

SINGAPORE (Oct 26): Saudi Arabia plans to store crude oil at Singapore's Jurong Rock Caverns from the second half of 2027 to strengthen supply security in the region, energy ministers from both countries said on Monday.

Saudi Arabia to store crude oil in Singapore to bolster Asia supply security

JAKARTA (Oct 26): Indonesia's stock exchange will include independent observers in a committee set up to determine a list of stocks with highly concentrated ownership structures, which are set to be excluded from Jakarta's main index, its chief said on Monday.

Indonesia bourse to include independent observers in determining stocks with highly concentrated ownership 

SK Hynix said it will announce shareholder return measures on Wednesday when the South Korean chipmaker releases quarterly results, responding to a report that it is considering a special dividend of about 16 trillion won (US$12 billion or RM49 billion).

SK Hynix to announce steps to boost shareholder returns on Wednesday

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Public Investment Bank Bhd has assigned a fair value of 70 sen on SKA Capital Bhd, which translates into a 63% premium over its initial public offering (IPO) price of 43 sen.

PublicInvest values ACE Market-bound SKA Capital at 70 sen, 63% premium over IPO price

(Oct 26):&nbsp;Masayoshi Son of SoftBank Group Corp&nbsp;chose locations in Malaysia for US$50 billion in technology investments, the country’s prime minister said, an outlay that would accelerate the billionaire’s global bet on AI infrastructure.

<article>
Prime Minister Datuk Seri An...

SoftBank’s Son plans US$50 bil Malaysia tech outlay, PM says

Completing 11 years of schooling from primary (six years) to secondary (five years) is now mandatory for all Malaysian citizens. Parents who fail to comply can be fined up to RM5,000, jailed up to six months, or both. Per the latest United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) data, Malaysians have completed 11.1 years of schooling, on average, well above the global mean of 8.8 years — and just a shade lower than Singapore’s 12 years. A child entering school today has an even higher 12.7 expected years of schooling. By this measure, Malaysia places within the UNDP’s “Very high human development” category. A laudable achievement — but also a false narrative.

Tong's Portfolio — More straight As, less learning: What Malaysia’s exams miss

SYDNEY (Oct 26): Stock markets traded cautiously on Monday as oil eased from six-month highs ahead of a week packed with central bank meetings and corporate earnings that will further test investor confidence in the AI boom.

BEIJING (Oct 26): Oil prices fell on Monday after surging to near six-month highs late last week, although ongoing attacks on Saudi Arabia kept supply concerns in focus.

Oil slips from near six-months highs despite supply concerns

Here's a heads up on what to look out for today.

YOUR DAY AHEAD: Oct 26, 2026 

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Public Investment Bank Bhd has assigned a fair value of 70 sen on SKA Capital Bhd, which translates into a 63% premium over its initial public offering (IPO) price of 43 sen.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 25): The move by MCA to walk out of an event to unveil Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates for the 16th Melaka state election on Saturday (Oct 24)&nbsp;night has raised questions regarding the sincerity of its coalition partner, Umno, in their political cooperation.

Melaka polls: Walk-out by MCA raises question of sincerity of Umno

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 25): Perikatan Nasional (PN) will initiate disciplinary&nbsp;proceedings against Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) over actions deemed contrary to the coalition's interests.

Takiyuddin: PN to initiate disciplinary action against Bersatu

The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly was officially dissolved on Monday, paving the way for the 13th Sarawak State Election.

Sarawak assembly dissolved, paving way for 13th state polls

(Oct 26):&nbsp;Singapore is diversifying suppliers, adding storage and building new infrastructure to try to protect itself from growing risks of resource nationalism, Singapore’s Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry Tan See Leng said in a speech on Monday.

Singapore shields itself from energy risks as Indonesia cuts gas

HONG KONG (Oct 26): Chinese food delivery giant Meituan&nbsp;has mandated seven banks to arrange investor meetings for a planned dual-tranche offshore yuan bond sale, according to a term sheet and preliminary offering memorandum seen by Reuters on Monday.

Meituan mandates banks for offshore yuan bond sale to refinance debt

SAO PAULO (Oct 25): Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won a historic fourth term on Sunday, the country's electoral court said, in a shock result that defied polls, precedent and global anti-incumbent sentiment to put the brakes on a wave of right-wing election victories across Latin America.

SK Hynix said it will announce shareholder return measures on Wednesday when the South Korean chipmaker releases quarterly results, responding to a report that it is considering a special dividend of about 16 trillion won (US$12 billion or RM49 billion).

SINGAPORE (Oct 26): Saudi Arabia plans to store crude oil at Singapore's Jurong Rock Caverns from the second half of 2027 to strengthen supply security in the region, energy ministers from both countries said on Monday.

Netflix Inc users are watching the streaming service less than they once did, the latest sign of engagement woes for the world’s most valuable entertainment company, according to people familiar with the matter.

Netflix users are watching less, not opening the app as often — Bloomberg

JAKARTA (Oct 26): Indonesia's stock exchange will include independent observers in a committee set up to determine a list of stocks with highly concentrated ownership structures, which are set to be excluded from Jakarta's main index, its chief said on Monday.

TOKYO (Oct 26): Japanese companies are moving to pay compensation to users following waves of cyberattacks that have disrupted internet services and raised concerns about economic stability.

Japan companies compensate users as cyberattacks buffet economy

Elon Musk said SpaceX has closed a US$40 billion (RM163 billion) debt deal to pay for the chips it needs to fuel its artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions.&nbsp;

Musk claims SpaceX closed US$40 bil debt deal for AI chips

Maxis Bhd (KL:MAXIS) is expected to get a small boost to its fibre business, which has seen little growth in recent quarters, analysts said on Monday.